Phonics

The primary goal at Campion in grade 1 is for all students to finish the year being able to read basic books. Reading is taught through the Riggs intensive, systematic phonics program. Students in grades 2 through 4 continue to build on phonics skills in everyday exercises designed to improve their reading ability.

English Language Arts

The primary goal of Campion's English Language Arts courses is to promote good reading habits as well as critical reading and writing skills. In the lower grades an emphasis is placed upon punctuation, basic grammar, spelling and penmanship. In the upper grades an emphasis is also placed on vocabulary, advanced grammar, literature and composition. Campion uses the English Workshop, Vocabulary from Classical Roots, and Warriner's English Grammar & Composition textbook series in addition to dedicated readers, short fiction anthologies, and Classical novels such as The Wind and the Willows, A Christmas Carol, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Robinson Crusoe, Kidnapped, Farmer Giles of Ham, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Gulliver's Travels, Huckleberry Finn, and others.

Students in the lower grades study Aesop's fables, Greek and Roman mythology, the works of Hans Christen Andersen, and are introduced to the stories of Shakespeare's plays.

Classical Civilization & Church History

Students in grades 5-8 study the rich history of those civilizations -- Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Roman, and Greek -- which have made the greatest contributions to western culture. They also study the history of Christendom, from the time of Christ through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

American & European History

Mathematics

Campion uses the Hake & Saxon math series throughout the grammar school math curriculum.

Religion

Students are systematically introduced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church through the Ignatius Faith and Life series throughout their grammar school experience. This text is supplemented by learning basic Catholic prayers and devotions, reading the lives of the saints, and understanding how to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Campion students attend a weekly Mass on Monday mornings and a monthly Mass on First Fridays at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

Science

Students are introduced to earth science, life science and physical science.

Latin & Greek

The study of Classical languages is an important aspect of the Campion curriculum because of its strong connection to the liberal arts. From the early grades, students are introduced to basic Latin vocabulary and the Greek alphabet. In grades 5-8, students continue to study vocabulary, but also learn the rudimentary facets of Latin and Greek grammar. In the 7th and 8th grades, students learn to conjugate verbs and carry out simple translations of Biblical texts in both Latin and Greek.

Art

Students are introduced to the concepts of goodness, beauty, and truth through the visual and musical arts first by learning to appreciate art and architecture, as well as Classical and ecclesiastical music. Secondly, students are introduced to the elements and principles of composition through various media including drawing, painting and sculpture. Many of the art projects stem from lessons in Art History and enable the students to better appreciate the craft and traditions of our heritage.

Music

Music classes concentrate on teaching the students to sing chant in a choir setting and play a musical instrument.

Speech & Drama

Students are introduced to oratory skills, learn and practice dramatic presentation techniques, and gain familiarity with classic plays and exemplary speeches of the 20th century. In grades 1-4 students also rehearse and perform one abridged Shakespeare play per quarter. In grades 5-8 students deliver a famous speech from the textbook Great Speeches of the 20th Century every other week, rehearse and perform one abridged Shakespeare play per semester.

Physical Education